Need advice for installing new package

[topdog17]

I will be installing a new 3lb package from R. Weaver this Wed. and I need some advice. Should I put the second story on the brood chamber when I install the bees or should I wait until they have drawn comb on the new foundations? I will bee using a 10 frame Lang with a SBB and wooden frames with plastic foundation coated with bees wax that I purchased from Brushy Mont.. The next thing I would like to know is if I should spray the frames with 1:1 sugar syrup so they will take to them better. It seems to me it probably would'nt hurt either way but I would like more experienced opinions. Also how long do I need to leave the entrance reducer reduced to keep from robbing? I have another beehive that seems to be strong and I don't want them to start robbing. I will be feeding with a baggy feeder on top of the frames. Thanks for any advice and replies.

[honeyman46408]

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227851

[KQ6AR]

You can add the second box when 8 of the 10 frames in the first box are drawn out.

No harm in spraying the frames.

I think the reducer will be in until the boxes are built out, but not sure. I just installed my bees yesterday.

[Ravenseye]

There's no need to add another story when you first package your bees. They'll be busy working with the space you've given them to begin with. When they've filled 80% or so of the first box, you can add another. Keep an eye on the flow. Sometime, they fill space quickly! I'd be feeding to help them draw wax, like you, so keep an eye on the syrup.

You can spray the frame to help them accept it. As you mentioned, it won't hurt. As far as the entrance reducer goes, I like to keep it on new colonies right until I add the second box. If they start piling up at the entrance sooner, I might remove it or open it up a little more but once they get a bunch of brood hatching, it'll be time to open their door up wider!

[topdog17]

Thanks for the answers fellas!

I do have another question since it was brought up in Ravens reply. How long does it take the girls to build comb if I feed and a flow is on? They need to build quick so the queen can get to work! What should I expect to see as far as comb when I check to see if the queen was released after 5-6 days?:scratch:

[Ravenseye]

Well, you won't see a full box but you'll see some completed comb, usually in the center of the cluster (which is often in the center of the box) along with comb in various stages of "height" or completeness. If you have pollen coming in, you'll see it stored here and there. You'll be surprised how quickly comb is built and gets used. If a flow is on and / or if you're feeding, you might find a good frame or two of drawn comb within a week. Everyone's results are different though. A lot depends on the bees in the package, the need for the queen to lay, temps, food, etc. As they say, you never know with bees! To really judge how fast things are moving along, take a peek two weeks after you have hived a package and then a week or two weeks later. The difference is usually quite dramatic, going from pulled wax to capped brood!